Public WiFi Security
Nearly 65.44 million people in the US use Public Wi-Fi. The exchange of data or information over a public wifi network can be intercepted by a third-party with ease. Many users are unknowingly risking their security when they share their personal information over the internet.
People use WiFi networks on a regular basis to shop online, make video calls and make money transfers to name a few. If their device is left unprotected, their information is left vulnerable to security threats.
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How Secure Is Public WiFi?
With over 350 million Public Wi-Fi Hotspots available globally, people are putting their personal information at risk as public wireless networks are not as safe when compared to a home network which is usually running a WPA2.
WPA2, is a Wi-Fi standard that makes it obligatory for a network to be password protected. This is one security measure that may not be present in a wireless network that you would use at a random coffee shop.
Moreover, Public WiFi is inherently flawed because one is not aware of who set up the access point. There have been cases where attackers set up a WiFi Pineapple forcing users to connect to a fake network that looks legitimate.
Therefore, it is firstly not recommended to use an unsecured network. The better option would be to use your own smartphone as a hotspot. In the case that you are not carrying your device, you will be able to limit or eliminate potential threats by using the steps mentioned below.
Public WiFi Security- Safety Tips
Set Up Two-Factor (2FA) Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an additional verification step that prevents unauthorized access to your online accounts, even if your credentials have been stolen through open WiFi. Therefore, it is a good idea to enable it wherever possible. In most 2FA deployments, you will be asked to confirm your identity by entering a special code sent to your phone via text message.
Limit AirDrop and File Sharing
When you are using a public wireless network, you should disable any features that enable file sharing on your laptop or smartphone. That is because it allows strangers on that network to access your files with ease and opens doors for them to plant malware or spyware on your device, putting your personal information at risk.
Additional Safety Measures: Before and After You Connect To a Public Wi-Fi
How To Spot A Rogue WiFi Network?
Keep the following signs in mind so that you can identify a rouge WiFi network whenever you come across one:
1
Misnamed SSID
If you are connecting to a known public wireless network and notice that it’s SSID is somewhat different to what it was earlier, it could very well be a rogue WiFi hotspot.
2
HTTP
Are you experiencing a relatively slower connection? Rerouting on the rogue WiFi hotspot’s end might be the main reason for this.
3
Slow Internet Speed
Check if the URLs you are visiting have an HTTPS address. If not, it means that your transmitted data can be accessed by hackers.
4
Too Easy to Connect
Most legitimate public wireless networks promptly direct users to their terms of service page. If you immediately gain Internet connectivity, you are probably connected to a rogue WiFi access point.
5
Error Messages
If you are connecting to a known public wireless network and notice that it’s SSID is somewhat different to what it was earlier, it could very well be a rogue WiFi hotspot.
Major Threats Associated With Public Networks
WiFi Pineapple
WiFi Pineapple
A Wi-Fi Pineapple is a powerful device capable of executing complex network attacks. Basically, it scans Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) broadcasted by devices and then rebroadcasts those SSIDs so devices can be tricked into thinking it is a legitimate Wi-Fi access point.
Protecting your device against these types of attacks can be very challenging, unless you equip yourself with a reliable VPN – it will safeguard all your communications from end-to-end using top-of-the-line encryption.
Man In The Middle Attack
Man In The Middle Attack
Man-in-the-Middle attacks are one of the biggest risks of using public wireless networks. To put it simply, it involves cybercriminals discreetly positioning themselves between the victim and the requested website.
Once they have managed to gain control over the connection, attackers have the ability to intercept and alter all your communications and/or even divert your credit card or debit card transactions into their own accounts.
Rogue WiFi Hotspots
Rogue WiFi Hotspots
Whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or restaurant, make sure to ask the network’s owner about the correct name. Besides, you would not want to connect to a rogue Wi-Fi hotspot set up by a mischievous hacker.
These networks are designed to mimic legitimate hotspots provided by nearby businesses and once someone connects to them, the bad guys are able to steal sensitive information and even redirect them to an infected website.
Cookie Theft
Cookie Theft
Certain types of Internet cookies are harmless and enable websites to keep you logged in, remember what items you have placed in your shopping cart, and personalize the information being shown to you, among various other things.
However, a tech-savvy hacker can steal your cookies and impersonate you on websites without even having knowledge of your login credentials. This would enable them to access all kinds of information, such as your instant messages, emails, etc.
Computer Worms
Computer Worms
Worms are similar to their virus counterparts in many ways, but they differ in one main aspect. Unlike viruses, which need to be attached to a program, worms can spread on your device without you having to download an infected file.
Therefore, if the public Wi-Fi network you are connected to lacks appropriate security safeguards, you are at the risk of a devastating infection that could not only compromise your personal information but also destroy your device.
Packet Sniffing
Packet Sniffing
Since most public Wi-Fi networks are open and do not offer any encryption whatsoever, it does not take much of an effort for cybercriminals to monitor all the Internet traffic being transmitted to and from your device.
By using a packet sniffer, which are programs that capture and log data transfers over a network, attackers can read all unencrypted communications and capture sensitive information like your credit card details.